Beer, TX
Beer bills pass "another hurdle" with unanimous House committee vote
By Ronnie Crocker on April 23, 2013 at 5:59 PM
The closely watched package of bills that would give Texas craft brewers new ways sell their product was unanimously passed this afternoon by the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee.
Rick Donley, president of The Beer Alliance of Texas, a distributors group that has supported the legislation throughout the session, called it "another hurdle overcome." The five related bills, identical in wording to those already passed by the Texas Senate, were sent to the Calendars Committee before a full House vote.
In what would be among the biggest changes to the state's beer laws in 20 years, the legislation would allow breweries to sell a limited amount of beer in their own taprooms for consumption on site. Another major provision would allow brewpubs to package beer for sale in groceries and other off-site outlets.
The Beer Alliance issued the following statement from Donley:
We commend Chairman Wayne Smith and members of the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee for today passing a package of Senate bills intended to create a more robust malt beverage marketplace.
Senate Bills 515, 516, 517 and 518 by Senator Kevin Eltife, sponsored in the House by Chairman Smith, will open markets in Texas more broadly to the fast-growing craft brew sector. Craft beer makers and brewpub owners will, upon full House passage, be able to produce, market and sell greater quantities of product to Texas consumers, and, importantly, add to greater employment in the craft brew sector.
Additionally, Senate Bill 639 by Senator John Carona, sponsored in the House by Chairman Charlie Geren, brings additional regulatory certainty and clarity to marketing practices of beer wholesalers.
The Beer Alliance of Texas looks forward to working with all members of the Texas House of Representatives on enactment of this important consumer legislation.
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Ronnie Crocker | Assistant Business Editor
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